No cases of COVID-19 variant currently identified in Alabama

As of noon today.

While there are no cases currently identified in alabama - waay 31's max cohan tells us some doctors suspect it's already here... as people wait to get vaccinated -- news of coronavirus variants may be causing concern for some who wonder if the current vaccine will protect them -- dr. ali hassoun of huntsville hospital says yes..

"most of the evidence suggests that it's going to be covering that.

Of course there is actually ongoing studies to look at that in detail, but most of the evidence suggests now that yes, it's going to do that.

Even though the vaccine should protect against these mutated strains -- hassoun says you need to be careful due to the seemingly easier and quicker spread but said it doesn't appear to be more dangerous.

"there's really no evidence that it cause more mortality or hospitalizations."

According to the c-d-c, most of the cases are currently in florida and california -- but one case has already been identified in neighboring georgia...hassoun says its only a matter of time if it's not here already.

"my suspicion -- we already have it in alabama, probably they haven't yet looked at it or they didn't sequence it."

Even if the new strain is here -- hassoun says people should stay focused on the original -- since it is much more prevalent.

He added that he thinks that state should speed up the vaccination process -- feeling that we're currently wasting valuable time...reporting in huntsville, max cohan, waay 31 news.